When it comes to improving the performance of your diesel truck, there are not many ways that are better and deliver the horsepower-per-dollar return as custom tuning does. Sure, adding a water/methanol injection system could be considered a close second, but everything else you might consider requires the inclusion of other components to make big power.

For starters, larger injectors require more work to install, and upgrading the turbocharger can make use of extra fuel delivered by those new injectors, but you must have additional fuel in order to produce the power. That means upgrading the fuel system. The snowball keeps getting bigger. When it comes to tuners, the gains are immediate and easy to achieve. One company that many enthusiasts rely on is EFILive.

If you are looking to create, view, and modify tunes, FlashScan offers that capability.

However, EFILive is not a tuning company in the traditional sense of the word. They do not create any tunes that can be uploaded into a vehicle. I asked Donna Blackmore, business manager at EFILive how the company fits into the world of custom tuning. She clarified by saying, “We are a software company that offers tools, (i.e. hardware devices and software that will allow you to write and upload custom tunes to your vehicle as well as monitor and record live engine data). Much like Microsoft Word allows the end user to author/create a document, EFILive Scan and tune software enable the end user to author/create and edit tune files.”

To carry this software, the EFILive FlashScan and AutoCal devices are the hardware that enables the EFILive software to communicate with the vehicle. In a sense, the EFILive system is the ultimate “tool” allowing the end user the ability to work on their computer-controlled vehicle. In fact, we added custom tuning to Project WorkHorse and you can check out the article to see how that was accomplished.

As we stated, EFILive does not actually tune a vehicle, but the access they afford via the AutoCal and/or FlashScan devices allows both novice and experienced tuners the ability to go in and adjust many parameters of the engine and transmission functionality. The EFILive software delivers access to injector pulse width, timing, shift points, RPM, and almost any other parameter that needs adjusting.

With AutoCal, custom tunes can be created by a reputable tuner and emailed to you to be uploaded to the device and then your truck.

Because EFILive isn’t a tuning company, when an enthusiast buys one of their products (i.e., AutoCal or FlashScan), the device you receive comes ready to accept the tuning file(s). But, if you are considering an EFILive device, there are a few things you should know.

For starters, if you purchase the FlashScan programmer, it allows you to tune your own truck with complete access after YOU create the file. This does require you to be fluent in creating a custom tuning file.

If you purchase AutoCal, you do not have the ability to create a tune on the device and then upload it to the vehicle. With AutoCal, you need to have one of the best tuners in the country create a custom tune for your truck. The AutoCal does not have the ability to allow the creation of a custom tune. According to Blackmore, “AutoCal has taken tuning to a new level. Now, custom tuners are able to compete against the traditional handheld market, but with hardware containing all the EFILive bells and whistles.”

How AutoCal works is, the custom tuner of your choice creates a custom tune file for your truck after you explain your needs and what upgrades have been incorporated into the engine. The newly created tune is then emailed from the custom tuner to the vehicle owner and then installed remotely onto AutoCal which is then connected to the vehicle. Another benefit to this device is that you can also data log how the vehicle performs and then send that information back to the tuner for review. From that information, revisions can be made, again, remotely. Just so you know, finding a custom tuning person is as easy as clicking here.

We also need to tell you that the EFILive software is free to download. This affords you the opportunity to see the possibilities and even tweak parameters for your application. However, actually placing the tunes into your vehicle does require the purchase of the EFILive device to program the truck.

Remember, if you wish to build your own custom tunes, FlashScan is for you. If you are ready to let someone else create the tune for you so you can upload it into your truck, AutoCal is the better option for you.

All of this information is great, but if you are still wondering which EFILive product is right for you. According to EFILive, there are significant differences between FlashScan and AutoCal as it pertains to the end user. It is important that both the tuner and the tuner’s customer (end-user) understand these differences.

• With FlashScan, users have the ability to create, view, and modify custom tuning files. With AutoCal, only the tuner has that ability.
• AutoCal cannot be used to create or change tune files.
• Tunes from multiple sources can be flashed with FlashScan, however, AutoCal is limited to flashing tunes provided by a single tuner.
• A FlashScan device is required to create tunes for an AutoCal device. AutoCal devices cannot create tunes.
• In short, the main difference between FlashScan and AutoCal is: if you want to write your own tunes then you need a FlashScan. If you just want to purchase a tune(s) from a reputable tuner, then you only need an AutoCal to install (flash) the prewritten tunes.